Authentic Task #5
Content Standard I. B.1: Examine the diction of characters in a text
Content Standard I. B. 2: Analyze a text for the persuasive appeals: ethos,
pathos, logos.
Content Standard I. B. 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of a character’s diction in
accomplishing his/her goals
Content Standard I. E. 1: Writes a clear topic sentence or thesis statement
Content Standard I. E. 2: Employs a pattern of organization in written work
Content Standard I. E. 3: Provides specific evidence (such as direct
quotations) for claims
Content Standard I. E. 4: Analyzes evidence effectively
Content Standard I. E. 8: Uses a variety of sentence structures avoiding
fragments and run-on sentences
Content Standard I. E. 10: Uses MLA format for in-text documentation and
Works Cited
Content Standard I. E. 11: Demonstrates correct grammar, usage, and
mechanics
Task: You are a political analyst who has been asked to appear on “Rome
Today,” the most popular Roman TV show concerned with politics.
You have been asked to contribute to a panel discussion on the funeral
speeches delivered by Brutus and Mark Antony. The panel is
examining the questions:
o Which leader is the most effective speaker and why?
o What have the leaders accomplished through their speeches?
In order to prepare for your television debut, choose one passage (20-25
lines) from Brutus’s funeral speech and one from Mark Antony’s speech and
follow these steps.
o Gloss as many effective uses of diction in the passages from the
funeral speeches in your text as you can find.
o Copy three examples that you think are the most effective for each
character onto the Diction Analysis Chart.
o Identify the examples as either ethos, pathos, or logos
o Analyze the examples and explain why each one is effective using the
space provided on the Diction Analysis Chart.
o Based on your analysis, choose a position about which leader is the
most effective speaker. How effective was your choice’s diction in
achieving his goals? Write a paragraph stating your position and
support it by providing three examples from your Diction Analysis
Chart.
Criteria:
• Glosses effective diction in the funeral speech passages
• Analyzes six examples (3 for Brutus, 3 for Mark Antony) of diction and
determines what type of persuasion is being used in each (ethos, pathos,
logos)
• Takes a clear position in thesis statement
• Supports thesis with three examples of effective diction
• Explains why three examples of diction are effective
• Explains what the character achieved through his diction
• Writes a well-organized paragraph
• Uses a variety of sentence structures
• Uses MLA in-text documentation and works cited format for examples of
diction
• Writes using correct grammar, usage, and mechanics
Diction Analysis Chart
Act III scene 2
•
Brutus
(include line numbers)
•
Ethos, Pathos, or
Logos?
Why is it
effective?
•
Mark Antony
(include line numbers)
Example #1
Example #1
Example #2
Example #2
Example #3
Example #3
•
Ethos, Pathos, or
Logos?
Why is it
effective?
Rubric
Diction Analysis
Criteria:
Excellent
4-5 points
Good
2-3 points
Poor
0-1 point
Glossing:
Highlights or
underlines text, and
writes comments in
margins
Extensive examples of
effective diction
glossed
Adequate amount of
examples of effective
diction glossed
Few if any examples of
effective diction
glossed
Diction Chart:
Includes six examples
of diction ( 3 for each
character),
identification of
persuasive appeal, &
explanation of
effectiveness
X2
Content:
All or almost all of the
diction chart
completed accurately
and specifically
Paragraph begins with
a clear thesis statement
which states a position
X2
Thesis is effective,
insightful, and clear in
stating a position
Thesis states a clear
position
Thesis does not state a
position or is unclear
Provides three
examples of effective
diction to support
writer’s position
X2
Includes three detailed
and significant
examples of diction
Includes three
examples of diction
Includes less than
three examples of
diction
Explains how the
examples of diction
support the writer’s
position
Thoughtful and
detailed explanation of
how diction supports
thesis statement
Explanation of how
diction supports thesis
statement is adequate
Incomplete and/or
incorrect explanation
of how diction
supports thesis
statement
Clear and insightful
explanation of the
character’s
accomplishment
Explanation of the
character’s
accomplishment is
present
Little if any
explanation of the
character’s
accomplishment
Explains what the
character achieves
through his diction
X2
X2
Diction chart is not
completed, or contains
errors
Format:
Uses a logical pattern
of organization in the
paragraph
Organizational pattern
is strong throughout
the paragraph
Organizational pattern
is evident in the
paragraph
Organizational pattern
is weak or missing
Uses a variety of
sentence structures
Varied sentence
structures contribute
to style of writing
Sentences demonstrate
a number of structures
Sentences show little if
any variety
Correctly documents
examples of diction
with MLA in-text
documentation and
Works Cited
All examples of diction
are correctly
documented with intext documentation &
Works Cited
All examples
documented, may be
one or two minor
errors in
documentation format
Some documentation
missing and/or
significant errors in
documentation format
Uses correct grammar,
usage, and mechanics
throughout the
paragraph
Few if any errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics
A few minor errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics which do
not impede
understanding
Many errors in
grammar, usage, and
mechanics which may
detract from content
Comments:
Total________________________________/75